Kirkus Prize
The Kirkus Prize is an annual literary award presented by Kirkus Reviews, one of the leading prepublication book review journals in the United States, honoring exceptional works of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers' literature with $50,000 awarded to one winner in each category.[1][2] Established in 2014 to commemorate over 80 years of Kirkus Reviews' influential criticism—founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus—the prize quickly gained prominence as one of the richest in the literary world, distributing a total of $150,000 each year without submission fees, making it accessible to both traditionally and self-published authors.[2][3][4] Eligibility is limited to books that receive a Kirkus Star, the publication's highest designation for outstanding quality, with publication dates falling between November 1 of the prior year and October 31 of the award year (or October 1 to September 30 for picture books).[1] The selection process begins with Kirkus editors nominating starred titles, followed by a panel of distinguished jurors—typically including acclaimed authors, critics, and publishing professionals—choosing six finalists per category in late August; winners are then selected by the editorial team and announced in early October at a ceremony in New York City.[1][5] Notable past recipients include Percival Everett for his novel James in fiction (2024), Adam Higginbotham for Challenger in nonfiction (2024), and Kenneth M. Cadow for Gather in young readers' literature (2024), alongside 2025 winners Lucas Schaefer for The Slip in fiction, Scott Anderson for King of Kings in nonfiction, and Thao Lam for Everybelly in young readers' literature, as well as earlier winners like Anthony Doerr for All the Light We Cannot See (2014) and Colson Whitehead for The Underground Railroad (2016), underscoring the prize's role in spotlighting innovative and impactful storytelling across genres.[6][5][7]History
Founding and Launch
The Kirkus Prize was established in 2014 by Kirkus Reviews, a pre-publication book review journal founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus, who initially launched it as the Virginia Kirkus Bookshop Service to provide advance reviews to libraries and booksellers during the Great Depression.[4] Virginia Kirkus, a former editor at Harper & Brothers, envisioned the service as a way to help subscribers select promising titles from galleys, starting with just 10 subscribers and growing rapidly to serve over 1,400 libraries by the 1960s.[4] The prize's creation honored this legacy of discerning criticism, aiming to spotlight exceptional books amid evolving industry challenges and to recognize authors whose works received Kirkus's highest endorsement, the starred review.[3] The motivation behind the prize stemmed from Kirkus Reviews' commitment to supporting writers through substantial financial recognition, positioning it as one of the richest literary awards globally with a total annual purse of $150,000 divided among winners.[3] Under the leadership of President and Publisher Marc Winkelman, Editor in Chief Claiborne Smith, and Chief Operating Officer Meg Kuehn, the initiative sought to celebrate the publication's 81 years of influential reviews while rewarding outstanding literature in fiction, nonfiction, and young readers' literature categories, which were introduced from the outset.[3] This structure emphasized books published between October 1, 2013, and September 30, 2014, that earned a Kirkus star, ensuring alignment with the review journal's core mission.[3] The prize was formally announced on May 28, 2014, in New York, marking a significant expansion of Kirkus Reviews' role in the literary ecosystem.[3] The inaugural finalists were revealed on September 30, 2014, followed by the first awards ceremony on October 23, 2014, held in the penthouse of the Four Seasons Residences in Austin, Texas, just before the Texas Book Festival.[8] This launch event underscored the prize's immediate prominence, with judging panels comprising writers, booksellers or librarians, and Kirkus critics to select recipients.[3]Subsequent Developments
Since its launch in 2014, the Kirkus Prize has experienced steady growth in the volume of books considered for the award, reflecting the expanding influence of Kirkus Reviews' starred review system. Initially drawing from all starred books published between October 1, 2013, and September 30, 2014, the prize now evaluates a significantly larger pool, with over 1,000 titles receiving stars annually by 2025. For the 2025 cycle, this included 383 fiction titles, 290 nonfiction works, and 497 young readers' literature books eligible between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025. Eligibility criteria have since evolved, with the standard period becoming November 1 of the prior year to October 31 of the award year for most titles, while picture books retain the October 1 to September 30 window.[5][1] Administrative aspects of the prize have evolved to enhance its rigor and inclusivity. Early iterations relied primarily on Kirkus editors for selections, but by the mid-2010s, the process incorporated external jurors—prestigious authors, critics, booksellers, and librarians—who form two-person panels per category to choose six finalists each. This jury system, announced annually (as in June 2025 for that year's cycle), ensures diverse perspectives while Kirkus editors ultimately select the winners. Announcement procedures have also shifted toward greater digital accessibility, with results now revealed through livestreamed ceremonies on YouTube, building on initial in-person events in Austin, Texas.[9][2] Key milestones underscore the prize's maturation, including its adaptation to global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 and 2021 ceremonies transitioned to virtual formats hosted from the Austin Central Library and livestreamed online, allowing broader participation amid restrictions. Starting with the 2023 edition, the ceremony has been held at the TriBeCa Rooftop in New York City, marking a relocation from Austin, Texas; the 2025 event, the 12th annual edition, was also livestreamed on YouTube for expanded reach. Visibility has grown through such digital integrations and occasional collaborations with libraries and literary venues, positioning the prize as a key platform for emerging and established voices.[10][11][12][5] The Kirkus Prize has solidified its status as one of the richest literary awards in the United States, distributing $150,000 annually ($50,000 per category) and rivaling the prestige of the National Book Award through its focus on exceptional merit as indicated by the Kirkus Star. This unique eligibility criterion—limited to starred titles—distinguishes it while amplifying underrepresented works, contributing to its reputation for discerning, forward-looking recognition in American letters.[1][13][14]Overview
Purpose and Structure
The Kirkus Prize serves to honor outstanding works of contemporary literature by recognizing authors whose books have earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, a distinction awarded to approximately 10% of reviewed titles for their exceptional quality. Established in 2014 to celebrate over 80 years of the magazine's influential criticism, the award highlights innovative and compelling narratives that advance literary standards.[1] Structurally, the Kirkus Prize operates as an annual competition divided into three equal categories—Fiction, Nonfiction, and Young Readers’ Literature—with no additional lifetime achievement or special awards. Each category's winner receives $50,000, distributed equitably among the eligible creators, resulting in a total annual payout of $150,000 to promote excellence without favoring one genre over another. This equal distribution underscores the prize's commitment to balanced recognition across literary forms.[1] Administratively, the prize is managed exclusively by Kirkus Reviews, where editors initially identify eligible starred titles, followed by a two-person external jury of experts such as critics, booksellers, or librarians selecting six finalists per category; winners are then chosen by the editors and announced and honored at a gala ceremony, typically held in October in New York City, with the event live-streamed for broader accessibility. While finalists gain significant publicity through Kirkus channels, they receive no cash award, focusing attention on the ultimate honorees.[1] In line with its inclusivity objectives, the Kirkus Prize supports both emerging and established authors by welcoming books from diverse genres and backgrounds, including traditionally published, self-published, and hybrid works. Eligibility extends to all creators listed on the title page, such as authors, illustrators, photographers, and translators, fostering broad representation of voices in literature.[1]Significance
The Kirkus Prize has established itself as one of the richest literary awards in the United States, distributing $150,000 annually—$50,000 to each winner across its three categories—surpassing the financial value of many peers such as the National Book Award, which offers $10,000 per winner, while lacking the prestige of no-cash prizes like the Pulitzer.[1][15] This substantial purse positions the award as a significant incentive for authors and publishers, enhancing Kirkus Reviews' reputation as a tastemaker that influences book selection by booksellers, librarians, and media outlets.[16] By drawing from books that receive the Kirkus Star designation, the prize amplifies visibility for recipients, often leading to heightened media attention and broader recognition within the publishing ecosystem.[1] Culturally, the Kirkus Prize occupies a vital niche among mid-tier literary honors, bridging smaller regional awards and major accolades like the Pulitzer by spotlighting exceptional works across fiction, nonfiction, and young readers' literature without nomination requirements, thus democratizing access for both traditionally and self-published authors.[15] Since its inception in 2014, it has increasingly recognized diverse voices, with winners in recent years—such as those in 2023 exploring the multifaceted nature of American culture—highlighting underrepresented perspectives and contributing to greater inclusivity in literary discourse.[17] This focus not only elevates midlist titles but also fosters a more representative canon, aligning with broader industry efforts to amplify marginalized narratives.[18] Beyond individual honors, the prize exerts a wider influence by incentivizing publishers to prioritize Kirkus reviews, as the Star mark serves as a gateway to contention and subsequent promotional opportunities.[19] Its annual ceremony and announcements garner consistent coverage in prominent literary media, including Literary Hub and Book Riot, which helps sustain public engagement with contemporary literature and reinforces Kirkus Reviews' longstanding role in shaping reader tastes.[20][21]Eligibility and Selection
Qualification Criteria
To be eligible for the Kirkus Prize, a book must receive a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, a distinction awarded to approximately 10% of the roughly 10,000 titles the publication reviews each year for demonstrating exceptional merit in writing, originality, and broad appeal.[1][22] The eligibility period for the award corresponds to books originally published between November 1 of the previous year and October 31 of the award year, such as November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, for the 2025 prizes; slight variations apply to picture books (October 1 to September 30) and independently published titles (September 1 to August 31 for review publication).[1] Eligible works include original publications in English—encompassing both adult and young readers' literature—first released in the United States during this window, in formats such as hardcovers, paperback originals, or e-book originals.[1][23] Both traditionally published and self-published books qualify if they secure a starred review through Kirkus Reviews' standard or indie sections, with no entry fee required and no separate nomination process needed beyond the review itself.[1] Exclusions apply to reprints, reissues, apps, enhanced e-books, and previously awarded titles, though new editions with significant revisions (such as updated illustrations) may be considered original works; authors may have multiple eligible titles across categories.[1] Works in translation are also eligible, provided the English edition meets the publication criteria.[24]Judging Process and Timeline
The judging process for the Kirkus Prize begins with initial screening by Kirkus editors, who compile a pool of eligible titles exclusively from books that have received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews during the eligibility period, with no open nominations or external submissions required for consideration.[1] This automatic selection ensures that only approximately 10% of reviewed books—those deemed of exceptional merit—advance to further evaluation, providing a curated longlist that can exceed 380 titles in categories like fiction.[25][26] Each category features a two-person judging jury composed of external experts, such as critics, librarians, booksellers, or authors, appointed annually by Kirkus Reviews in collaboration with its editors, with juries rotating yearly to incorporate diverse perspectives.[9][2] For instance, the 2025 fiction jury included reviewer and former librarian Thérèse Purcell Nielsen and journalist and editor Oscar Villalon.[27] The jury, working over about six months, evaluates the eligible titles through extensive reading, annotations, and collaborative discussions, often using tools like spreadsheets to narrow the longlist to six finalists per category. In the young readers' literature category, the six finalists consist of two picture books, two middle-grade, and two young adult titles.[1] These finalists are selected based on literary excellence, including narrative strength and innovation.[1] The winners are then selected by the Kirkus editors from among the finalists, emphasizing overall impact, depth of research in nonfiction, and engagement in young readers' literature, with the process culminating in a final deliberation focused on exceptional merit.[28][27] The annual timeline typically includes juror announcements in June, finalist selections in late August—for example, finalists were selected on August 27, 2025—and winner announcements in early October, such as winners announced on October 8, 2025, followed immediately by an awards ceremony in New York City.[2][27] This structured cycle aligns with the publication eligibility window, ensuring timely recognition of outstanding works.[1]Award Categories
Fiction
The Fiction category of the Kirkus Prize has annually honored exceptional novels and story collections since the award's inception in 2014, with winners selected for their literary merit, innovation, and emotional depth.[1]2014
Winner: Lily King, Euphoria (Atlantic Monthly Press), awarded for its perfect construction, economy, originality, and emotional power in exploring the lives of anthropologists in 1930s Papua New Guinea inspired by Margaret Mead.[8] Finalists:- Siri Hustvedt, The Blazing World
- Dinaw Mengestu, All Our Names
- Brian Morton, Florence Gordon
- Bill Roorbach, The Remedy for Love
- Sarah Waters, The Paying Guests
2015
Winner: Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life (Doubleday), recognized for its harrowing yet profoundly moving depiction of friendship, trauma, and resilience among four college friends over decades. Finalists:- Susan Barker, The Incarnations
- Lucia Berlin, A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories
- Lauren Groff, Fates and Furies
- Valeria Luiselli, The Story of My Teeth
- Jim Shepard, The Book of Aron
2016
Winner: C. E. Morgan, The Sport of Kings (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), praised for its ambitious, multi-generational saga examining race, class, and the American Dream through a Kentucky horse racing family. Finalists:- Adam Haslett, Imagine Me Gone
- Joe McGinniss Jr., Carousel Court
- Annie Proulx, Barkskins
- Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow
- Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad
2017
Winner: Lesley Nneka Arimah, What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky (Simon & Schuster), celebrated as a debut collection for its inventive short stories blending magical realism, African folklore, and contemporary issues like immigration and gender. Finalists:- Mohsin Hamid, Exit West
- Hari Kunzru, White Tears
- Carmen Maria Machado, Her Body and Other Parties: Stories
- Alice McDermott, The Ninth Hour
- Jesmyn Ward, Sing, Unburied, Sing
2018
Winner: Ling Ma, Severance (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), honored for its debut novel's sharp satire on capitalism, millennial malaise, and apocalypse through a young woman's journey in a pandemic-ravaged world. Finalists:- Naima Coster, Halsey Street
- Lauren Groff, Florida
- Eduardo Halfon, Mourning
- Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Heads of the Colored People: Stories
- Katie Williams, Tell the Machine Goodnight
2019
Winner: Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys (Doubleday), awarded for its poignant, historically grounded narrative of racial injustice at a reform school in 1960s Florida, inspired by real events. Finalists:- Carolina De Robertis, Cantoras: A novel
- Laila Lalami, The Other Americans
- Valeria Luiselli, Lost Children Archive
- Yūko Tsushima, Territory of Light
- Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
2020
Winner: Raven Leilani, Luster (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), lauded as a debut for its raw, humorous exploration of race, desire, and aimless youth in a young Black woman's open marriage entanglement. Finalists:- Tola Rotimi Abraham, Black Sunday
- Juliana Delgado Lopera, Fiebre Tropical: A Novel
- Elena Ferrante, The Lying Life of Adults
- James McBride, Deacon King Kong
- Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain
2021
Winner: Joy Williams, Harrow (Knopf), recognized for its surreal, apocalyptic vision of environmental collapse and human folly through an elderly man's quest with his donkey. Finalists:- Mariana Enríquez (trans. Megan McDowell), The Dangers of Smoking in Bed
- Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois
- Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, My Monticello: Fiction
- Pajtim Statovci, Bolla
- Colson Whitehead, Harlem Shuffle
2022
Winner: Hernan Diaz, Trust (Riverhead Books), awarded for its ingenious, multi-perspective narrative unraveling the myth of a 1920s financier's fortune and its hidden truths. Finalists:- Michelle de Kretser, Scary Monsters
- Arinze Ifeakandu, God's Children Are Little Broken Things
- Susan Straight, Mecca
- Yōko Tawada (trans. Margaret Mitsutani), Scattered All Over the Earth
- Olga Tokarczuk (trans. Jennifer Croft), The Books of Jacob
2023
Winner: James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (Riverhead Books), praised for its vibrant, multi-threaded tale of a 1920s Pennsylvania Jewish-Black community confronting prejudice and secrets. Finalists:- Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood
- Kelly Link, White Cat, Black Dog: Stories
- Paul Murray, The Bee Sting
- Tommy Orange, Wandering Stars
- Jesmyn Ward, Let Us Descend
2024
Winner: Percival Everett, James (Doubleday), honored for its bold reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the enslaved Jim's perspective, blending wit, horror, and critique of racism.[6] Finalists:- Jennine Capó Crucet, Say Hello to My Little Friend
- Louise Erdrich, The Mighty Red
- Paul Lynch, Prophet Song
- Richard Powers, Playground
- Rufi Thorpe, Margo's Got Money Troubles
2025
Winner: Lucas Schaefer, The Slip (Graywolf Press), awarded for its debut novel's incisive exploration of race, class, sex, and gender among characters at an Austin boxing gym amid a missing boy's mystery.[5] Finalists:- Kiran Desai, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
- Angela Flournoy, The Wilderness
- Allegra Goodman, Isola
- Megha Majumdar, A Guardian and a Thief
- David Szalay, Flesh
Nonfiction
The Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction honors exceptional nonfiction books published in the United States, emphasizing works that demonstrate rigorous research, compelling narrative, and significant cultural or historical insight. Since the prize's launch in 2014, winners in this category have spanned memoirs, biographies, environmental histories, and examinations of systemic inequalities, often reflecting pressing societal concerns.[1] The following table lists all nonfiction winners from 2014 to 2025, including the author, title, and a brief description of the book's primary focus:| Year | Author | Title | Content Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Roz Chast | Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? | A graphic memoir detailing the author's humorous yet poignant experiences navigating her elderly parents' declining health and end-of-life care.[8] |
| 2015 | Ta-Nehisi Coates | Between the World and Me | An epistolary work addressed to the author's teenage son, exploring the Black experience in America through themes of race, identity, and systemic violence.[29] |
| 2016 | Susan Faludi | In the Darkroom | A personal memoir investigating the author's estranged relationship with her father, who underwent gender transition later in life, blending family history with reflections on identity.[30] |
| 2017 | Jack E. Davis | The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea | An environmental history tracing the ecological and human impact on the Gulf of Mexico, from indigenous times to modern conservation challenges.[31] |
| 2018 | Rebecca Solnit | Call Them by Their True Names: American Crises (and Essays) | A collection of essays addressing American crises including environmental justice, immigration, and political upheaval.[32] |
| 2019 | Saeed Jones | How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir | A memoir tracing the author's journey through Black queer identity, family, and survival in America.[33] |
| 2020 | Mychal Denzel Smith | Stakes Is High: Life After the American Dream | A manifesto examining Black life in America post-Obama, addressing mental health, activism, and systemic racism.[34] |
| 2021 | Brian Broome | Punch Me Up to the Gods | A coming-of-age memoir blending poetry and prose to explore Black queer identity, family trauma, and resilience in Ohio.[35] |
| 2022 | Tanaïs | In Sensorium: Notes for My People | A lyrical memoir blending scents, family history, and Bengali Muslim heritage to explore identity and colonialism.[36] |
| 2023 | Héctor Tobar | Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Histories and Futures of Latino America | A reflective work on Latino identity in the U.S., blending personal stories, historical analysis, and cultural critique to address migration, race, and belonging. |
| 2024 | Adam Higginbotham | Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space | A detailed reconstruction of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, focusing on the human elements, technical failures, and institutional responses.[6] |
| 2025 | Scott Anderson | King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution, 1979 | A historical account of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, highlighting the roles of key figures, geopolitical miscalculations, and lasting global repercussions.[5] |
Young Readers' Literature
The Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature has recognized outstanding works for children and young adults since its inception in 2014, with winners spanning picture books, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction, and young adult novels. These awards highlight diverse narratives that address themes such as identity, history, social justice, and personal growth, often tailored to specific age groups.[1]| Year | Author(s) | Title | Age Group | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Kate Samworth | Aviary Wonders Inc. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual | Picture book | Environmental conservation, human impact on wildlife, extinction of birds |
| 2015 | Pam Muñoz Ryan | Echo | Middle-grade fiction | Historical fiction, music, resilience during WWII and beyond |
| 2016 | Jason Reynolds | As Brave as You | Middle-grade fiction | Family dynamics, courage, rural Black experiences |
| 2017 | Cherie Dimaline | The Marrow Thieves | Young adult fiction | Dystopian survival, Indigenous identity, cultural genocide |
| 2018 | Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James | Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut | Picture book | Black boy joy, self-esteem, barber shop culture |
| 2019 | Jerry Craft | New Kid | Middle-grade graphic novel | School integration, racial microaggressions, friendship |
| 2020 | Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James | I Am Every Good Thing | Picture book | Affirmation, Black boy empowerment, emotional well-being |
| 2021 | Christina Soontornvat | All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team | Middle-grade nonfiction | Real-life heroism, international cooperation, survival in crisis |
| 2022 | Harmony Becker | Himawari House | Young adult graphic novel | Language barriers, cultural adaptation, queer romance among international students |
| 2023 | Ariel Aberg-Riger | America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History | Middle-grade illustrated nonfiction | U.S. history reexamined, immigration, civil rights through infographics |
| 2024 | Kenneth M. Cadow | Gather | Young adult fiction | Poverty, family bonds, Appalachian life, mental health |
| 2025 | Thao Lam | Everybelly | Picture book | Body positivity, self-acceptance, diverse representations of childhood bodies |
Past Winners and Finalists
Fiction
The Fiction category of the Kirkus Prize has annually honored exceptional novels and story collections since the award's inception in 2014, with winners selected for their literary merit, innovation, and emotional depth.[1]2014
Winner: Lily King, Euphoria (Atlantic Monthly Press), awarded for its perfect construction, economy, originality, and emotional power in exploring the lives of anthropologists in 1930s Papua New Guinea inspired by Margaret Mead.[8] Finalists:- Siri Hustvedt, The Blazing World
- Dinaw Mengestu, All Our Names
- Brian Morton, Florence Gordon
- Bill Roorbach, The Remedy for Love
- Sarah Waters, The Paying Guests
2015
Winner: Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life (Doubleday), recognized for its harrowing yet profoundly moving depiction of friendship, trauma, and resilience among four college friends over decades. Finalists:- Susan Barker, The Incarnations
- Lucia Berlin, A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories
- Lauren Groff, Fates and Furies
- Valeria Luiselli, The Story of My Teeth
- Jim Shepard, The Book of Aron
2016
Winner: C. E. Morgan, The Sport of Kings (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), praised for its ambitious, multi-generational saga examining race, class, and the American Dream through a Kentucky horse racing family. Finalists:- Adam Haslett, Imagine Me Gone
- Joe McGinniss Jr., Carousel Court
- Annie Proulx, Barkskins
- Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow
- Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad
2017
Winner: Lesley Nneka Arimah, What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky (Riverhead Books), celebrated as a debut collection for its inventive short stories blending magical realism, African folklore, and contemporary issues like immigration and gender.[31] Finalists:- Mohsin Hamid, Exit West
- Hari Kunzru, White Tears
- Carmen Maria Machado, Her Body and Other Parties: Stories
- Alice McDermott, The Ninth Hour
- Jesmyn Ward, Sing, Unburied, Sing
2018
Winner: Ling Ma, Severance (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), honored for its debut novel's sharp satire on capitalism, millennial malaise, and apocalypse through a young woman's journey in a pandemic-ravaged world. Finalists:- Naima Coster, Halsey Street
- Lauren Groff, Florida
- Eduardo Halfon, Mourning
- Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Heads of the Colored People: Stories
- Katie Williams, Tell the Machine Goodnight
2019
Winner: Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys (Doubleday), awarded for its poignant, historically grounded narrative of racial injustice at a reform school in 1960s Florida, inspired by real events. Finalists:- Carolina De Robertis, Cantoras: A novel
- Laila Lalami, The Other Americans
- Valeria Luiselli, Lost Children Archive
- Yūko Tsushima, Territory of Light
- Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
2020
Winner: Raven Leilani, Luster (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), lauded as a debut for its raw, humorous exploration of race, desire, and aimless youth in a young Black woman's open marriage entanglement. Finalists:- Tola Rotimi Abraham, Black Sunday
- Juliana Delgado Lopera, Fiebre Tropical: A Novel
- Elena Ferrante, The Lying Life of Adults
- James McBride, Deacon King Kong
- Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain
2021
Winner: Joy Williams, Harrow (Knopf), recognized for its surreal, apocalyptic vision of environmental collapse and human folly through an elderly man's quest with his donkey. Finalists:- Mariana Enríquez (trans. Megan McDowell), The Dangers of Smoking in Bed
- Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois
- Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, My Monticello: Fiction
- Pajtim Statovci, Bolla
- Colson Whitehead, Harlem Shuffle
2022
Winner: Hernan Diaz, Trust (Riverhead Books), awarded for its ingenious, multi-perspective narrative unraveling the myth of a 1920s financier's fortune and its hidden truths. Finalists:- Michelle de Kretser, Scary Monsters
- Arinze Ifeakandu, God's Children Are Little Broken Things
- Susan Straight, Mecca
- Yōko Tawada (trans. Margaret Mitsutani), Scattered All Over the Earth
- Olga Tokarczuk (trans. Jennifer Croft), The Books of Jacob
2023
Winner: James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (Riverhead Books), praised for its vibrant, multi-threaded tale of a 1920s Pennsylvania Jewish-Black community confronting prejudice and secrets. Finalists:- Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood
- Kelly Link, White Cat, Black Dog: Stories
- Paul Murray, The Bee Sting
- Tommy Orange, Wandering Stars
- Jesmyn Ward, Let Us Descend
2024
Winner: Percival Everett, James (Doubleday), honored for its bold reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the enslaved Jim's perspective, blending wit, horror, and critique of racism.[6] Finalists:- Jennine Capó Crucet, Say Hello to My Little Friend
- Louise Erdrich, The Mighty Red
- Paul Lynch, Prophet Song
- Richard Powers, Playground
- Rufi Thorpe, Margo's Got Money Troubles
2025
Winner: Lucas Schaefer, The Slip (Graywolf Press), awarded for its debut novel's incisive exploration of race, class, sex, and gender among characters at an Austin boxing gym amid a missing boy's mystery.[5] Finalists:- Kiran Desai, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
- Angela Flournoy, The Wilderness
- Allegra Goodman, Isola
- Megha Majumdar, A Guardian and a Thief
- David Szalay, Flesh
Nonfiction
The Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction honors exceptional nonfiction books published in the United States, emphasizing works that demonstrate rigorous research, compelling narrative, and significant cultural or historical insight. Since the prize's launch in 2014, winners in this category have spanned memoirs, biographies, environmental histories, and examinations of systemic inequalities, often reflecting pressing societal concerns.[1] The following table lists all nonfiction winners from 2014 to 2025, including the author, title, and a brief description of the book's primary focus:| Year | Author | Title | Content Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Roz Chast | Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? | A graphic memoir detailing the author's humorous yet poignant experiences navigating her elderly parents' declining health and end-of-life care.[8] |
| 2015 | Ta-Nehisi Coates | Between the World and Me | An epistolary work addressed to the author's teenage son, exploring the Black experience in America through themes of race, identity, and systemic violence.[29] |
| 2016 | Susan Faludi | In the Darkroom | A personal memoir investigating the author's estranged relationship with her father, who underwent gender transition later in life, blending family history with reflections on identity.[30] |
| 2017 | Jack E. Davis | The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea | An environmental history tracing the ecological and human impact on the Gulf of Mexico, from indigenous times to modern conservation challenges.[31] |
| 2018 | Rebecca Solnit | Call Them by Their True Names: American Crises (and Essays) (Haymarket Books) | A collection of essays dissecting American crises, from climate change to political division, with sharp cultural and personal insights.[32] |
| 2019 | Saeed Jones | How We Fight for Our Lives (Simon & Schuster) | A memoir tracing the author's evolution from childhood to adulthood as a Black gay man, linked to pivotal cultural moments in hip-hop and beyond.[33] |
| 2020 | Mychal Denzel Smith | Stakes Is High: Life After the American Dream (Beacon Press) | Essays critiquing the myth of the American Dream, focusing on race, mental health, and the urgent need for systemic political reform.[45] |
| 2021 | Brian Broome | Punch Me Up to the Gods (Little, Brown and Company) | A poignant coming-of-age memoir of growing up Black and queer in 1980s Ohio, confronting racism, sexuality, and familial expectations.[35] |
| 2022 | Tanaïs | In Sensorium: Notes for My People (Harper) | A multigenerational narrative blending memoir, history, and perfumery to explore Bengali Muslim identity, family trauma, and sensory memory.[36] |
| 2023 | Héctor Tobar | Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Histories and Futures of Latino America | A reflective work on Latino identity in the U.S., blending personal stories, historical analysis, and cultural critique to address migration, race, and belonging. |
| 2024 | Adam Higginbotham | Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space | A detailed reconstruction of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, focusing on the human elements, technical failures, and institutional responses.[6] |
| 2025 | Scott Anderson | King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution, 1979 | A historical account of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, highlighting the roles of key figures, geopolitical miscalculations, and lasting global repercussions.[5] |
Young Readers' Literature
The Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature has recognized outstanding works for children and young adults since its inception in 2014, with winners spanning picture books, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction, and young adult novels. These awards highlight diverse narratives that address themes such as identity, history, social justice, and personal growth, often tailored to specific age groups.[1]| Year | Author(s) | Title | Age Group | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Kate Samworth | Aviary Wonders Inc. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual | Picture book | Environmental conservation, human impact on wildlife, extinction of birds |
| 2015 | Pam Muñoz Ryan | Echo | Middle-grade fiction | Historical fiction, music, resilience during WWII and beyond |
| 2016 | Jason Reynolds | As Brave as You | Middle-grade fiction | Family dynamics, courage, rural Black experiences |
| 2017 | Cherie Dimaline | The Marrow Thieves | Young adult fiction | Dystopian survival, Indigenous identity, cultural genocide |
| 2018 | Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James | Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut | Picture book | Black boy joy, self-esteem, barber shop culture |
| 2019 | Jerry Craft | New Kid | Middle-grade graphic novel | School integration, racial microaggressions, friendship |
| 2020 | Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James | I Am Every Good Thing | Picture book | Affirmation, Black boy empowerment, emotional well-being |
| 2021 | Christina Soontornvat | All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team | Middle-grade nonfiction | Real-life heroism, international cooperation, survival in crisis |
| 2022 | Harmony Becker | Himawari House | Young adult graphic novel | Language barriers, cultural adaptation, queer romance among international students |
| 2023 | Ariel Aberg-Riger | America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History | Middle-grade illustrated nonfiction | U.S. history reexamined, immigration, civil rights through infographics |
| 2024 | Kenneth M. Cadow | Gather | Young adult fiction | Poverty, family bonds, Appalachian life, mental health |
| 2025 | Thao Lam | Everybelly | Picture book | Body positivity, self-acceptance, diverse representations of childhood bodies |